Honest weights
Our scales are state-certified and inspected on schedule. You can watch the readout, and every ticket shows gross, tare, and net.
About Universal Metal Recycling
A scrap yard on New Haven Ave, paying top dollar to our Fox Valley neighbors.
Our story
Universal Metal Recycling runs on a simple idea: pay people fairly, weigh honestly, and they'll come back. Our crew brings more than 20 years of combined experience in the scrap trade to the yard on New Haven Ave, where we buy every kind of metal.
Most of our customers are regulars: electricians and plumbers dropping off the week's cutoffs, homeowners clearing a garage, small manufacturers with a bin of turnings, and neighbors clearing out years of accumulated metal. Grab a cold bottled water on your way through — it's on us, every visit.
Every ton we buy goes to domestic mills and foundries to become new pipe, rebar, cans, and car parts. Recycling metal uses a fraction of the energy of mining it — that's the part of the job we're proudest of.
20+Years combined experience
CashPaid the same visit
6 daysOpen Mon–Sat
How we do business
Three things we won't compromise on.
Posted prices
What's on the board is what you get. We don't quote one number on the phone and another at the window.
By the book
We follow Illinois metal-purchase law to the letter: ID on every sale, records kept, and stolen material reported. It protects honest sellers and keeps us in business.
Questions from first-timers
If yours isn't here, call — we answer the phone during yard hours.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Drive in any time during open hours.
How do I get paid?
At the office window on your way out, the same visit. Illinois law requires that certain items (catalytic converters, for example) be paid by check with a short hold; we'll tell you at the scale if that applies.
What ID do I need?
A current government-issued photo ID — driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. It's required for every sale, no exceptions. Full ID details →
Is there a minimum amount?
No minimum. A bag of cans is welcome. For loads under about 10 lb of ferrous we'll weigh it, but the payout will be small — batch it up if you can.
Do I have to sort my scrap?
You don't have to, but it pays to. A mixed load is graded at its lowest material. Five-minute sorting guide →
Can you pick up from my house?
We're a drop-off yard — bring your scrap to us during open hours. Got something unusually large or heavy? Call first and we'll tell you the best way to handle it.
Will you take my old fridge or air conditioner?
Only after the refrigerant has been recovered by a certified technician and the unit is tagged. Unevacuated units have to be turned away by law.
How do you set prices?
From the commodity markets and what domestic mills are paying us, minus our processing and freight. We re-post when the market moves. Today's board →
Come see the yard
Open Monday through Saturday. Bring your ID and your scrap — we'll handle the rest.